After learning of the Gaza flotilla interception, Irish President Connolly stated that the incident was “quite upsetting” Ireland has expressed concern after several activists and civilians were detained by Israel on Monday. As per the government, among the 12 Irish citizens onboard is Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland's President, Catherine Connolly.Dr Margaret Connolly, who was on board the vessel Blue Toys, is a general practitioner in the town of Sligo in northwest Ireland. (drmargaretconnollysligo)On Monday, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla, which was more than 250 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip, still in international waters.After learning of the interception, Irish President Connolly stated that the incident was "quite upsetting".Speaking after visiting King Charles during her UK Visit, the Irish leader stated she was “very proud of my sister, but I’m also very worried about her.”Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris also condemned the act, stating that his thoughts are with the president and other families whose loved ones have been detained.“I was very struck by the president’s comments yesterday, because on a purely personal level, of course you’d be worried, and my heart goes out to President Connolly and her family, and indeed all of the families of those detained," said Harris, adding that Israel's interception of the aid vessel in international waters was illegal and a breach of international law.In an official statement from the Taoiseach, the prime minister of Ireland, Micheal Martin condemned the interception as “unacceptable”."I strongly condemn the interception of boats in the Sumud flotilla in international waters and the detention of those on board by Israeli military forces, and call for their immediate release.Meanwhile, the Government has raised concerns for the welfare of those detained with the Israeli authorities," said Martin.The Irish PM added that the matter will also be raised with the European Union.Israel intercepts vessels to GazaOver 40 vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla said that it had lost contact with the intercepted boats.The group added that over 420 people from 30 countries were taking part in the aid flotilla, which involved over 50 vessels.Following the interception, videos from Dr Margaret Connolly, and five others, which appear to have been recorded before they were detained, were released by the group.Dr Margaret Connolly, who was on board the vessel Blue Toys, is a general practitioner in the town of Sligo in northwest Ireland."I feel utterly compelled - as a mother, a doctor, and as a human being - to help in this flotilla," the activist said in her video, which was released on the group's website.As per the flotilla tracker, at least 41 vessels have been intercepted with around 337 participants "kidnapped". 10 boats continue to sail with crucial humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read MoreGazaIsrael NewsIrelandGet the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia, and get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.See Less